Apparatus for dyeing

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material including a tank lying below floor level for containing a supply of dye solution and having a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body of textile material and extending away from the tank above the floor level. A pump is connected to the tank and to the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material and then back to the tank. A compressor is connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body of textile material, and means is provided to heat the air to assist in the drying of the material.

United States Patent [1 1 Doire et al.

[ APPARATUS FOR DYEING [75] Inventors: Ernest E. Doire, Woonsocket;

Romelus H. Doire, Cumberland, both of R1.

[73] Assignee: Dorega, Inc., Woonsocket, RI.

[22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 439,259

[52] US. Cl. 68/8; 68/15; 68/18 F; 68/20; 68/183; 68/187; 68/189; 68/212 [51] Int. Cl. D06B 5/18 [58] Field of Search 68/5 C, 7, 8, 15, 18 F, 68/20, 183, 187, 189, 18 R, 212

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 774,407 11/1904 Venter 68/189 1,649,445 11/1927 Clark et a1. 68/183 1,889,442 ll/1932 Hornbuckle et al. 68/189 1,973,953 9/1934 Gordon 68/189 X 2,227,926 1/1941 Drum et a1 68/189 3,459,012 8/1969 Renaud et al..... 68/189 X 3,631,691 1/1972 Karrer et a1. 68/189 X 1 Oct. 28, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 80,119 2/1920 Germany 68/189 Primary Examiner-Peter Feldman Assistant Examiner-Philip R. Coe

Attorney, Agent, or.FirmNorman S. Blodgett; Gerry A. Blodgett [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material including a tank lying below floor level for containing a supply of dye solution and having a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body of textile material and extending away from the tank above the floor level. A pump is connected to the tank and to the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material and then back to the tank. A compressor is connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body of textile material, and means is provided to heat the air to assist in the drying of the material.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent 'Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,914,962

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 1 APPARATUS FOR DYEAING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since the dawn of history, man has dyed his wool and cotton fibers by immersing them in a container of a solution of the dye and water. Even the advent of the industrial revolution, which mechanized all the other textile operations, left the dyeing operation very much the same. While it is true that handling equipment permitted immersing large amounts of yarn in the dyeing vat, nevertheless, the undesirable characteristics of the soaking method of dyeing persisted. It has recently been suggested that numerous advantages could be obtained by causing the dye solution to pass under pressure through the body of textile material located outside of the dye tank. The dye tank would only receive drippings from the operation and act as a repository for the dye solution. This system is shown and described in the patents of Renaud et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,459,012 and of Renaud US. Pat. No. 3,459,013. As is pointed out in these patents, one of the decided advantages of the system is that the dye is forced entirely through the body of textile material, so that uniform dyeing is accomplished.

After the dyeing operation, the body of textile material (such as a wool top, which is a large loose coil of wool yarn) has been carried while still wet to a drying room. There the yarn is uncoiled, is passed around rollers, is stretched out the length of a large drying room, and the individual strands are subjected to a flow of warm, dry air which removes the moisture from the yarn. The amount of capital investment and labor required for this operation is enormous. Five men are required to operate a drying room which, in itself, occupies a tremendous area in the mill and the operation makes use of very expensive machinery. The production of the large amounts of dry, warm air represents an enormous cost, not only in machinery, but also in fuel and electricity. Most importantly, the un-coiling, stretching, and re-coiling results in a large amount of handling of the yarn resulting in slubs and other defects which appear in the finished fabric. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

An outstanding object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, which apparatus also incorporates means for drying the body without removing it from the apparatus.

Another object of this invention is provision of apparatus for dyeing and drying of textile fibers which apparatus is inexpensive, occupies a minimum of space, and uses very little labor.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus for use in a textile mill for selectively dyeing, drying, and steam-treating fibers without removing them from the apparatus.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide apparatus for performing the operation of dyeing, drying, and steam-treating of fabric fiber material with a minimum of handling of the material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for drying textile yarns without reduction in yarn quality.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention consists of an apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, the apparatus having a tank lying below floor level and adapted to carry a supply of dye solution and having a vertical perforated hollow spindle overlying the tank and extending above the floor level. A pump is connected to the tank and to the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed and then back to the tank. A compressor is connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body and means is provided to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body.

Also, a homogenizing apparatus is mounted above the tank and includes a mixing tank with means for introducing dye in a vertical stream at one end of the mixing tank and means for introducing water in a horizontal stream at high velocity across the stream of dye in a direction toward the other end of the mixing tank. A reversing baffle is mounted at the said other end of the tank directed toward the oncoming stream of water and due to cause a reversal in direction of the stream and thorough mixing.

More specifically, .the spindle is supported by and coupled to a vertical pipe extending through the tank, the said vertical pipe being connected to the output side of a filter, the input side of which is connected to the outlet of the pump. The means to heat the air consists of a heat exchanger connected between the compressor and the main tank, a boiler being connected to the heat exchanger to provide it with steam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view with portions broken away of an apparatus for dyeing embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a filter forming part of the apparatus,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the filter taken on the line IIIIII of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the invention taken on the line IVIV of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line V\/ of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mixing tank forming part of the apparatus, and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view, somewhat schematic in nature, showing the manner in which the mixing tank is related to the other portions of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the apparatus for dyeing, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as having a main tank 11 containing a body 18 of dye solution. The tank is open-topped and the top edge is at floor level. Overlying the tank and extending above the floor level, are two vertical perforated hollow spindles 12 and 13. A pump 14 of the centrifical type is connected to the tank 11 to circulate dye solution from the tank to the spindles l2 and 13. This is to permit the passage of the dye solution from the spindles through the body 17 of textile material (for the purpose of illustration shown as consisting of a series of wool tops) and back to the tank.

An air compressor is connected to the spindle to cause air to flow through the body and means, such as a heat exchanger 16, is provided to heat the air to assist in drying the material. Normally a storage tank would be associated with the compressor, but it has been omitted in the interest of simplicity.

The perforated spindle 12 is mounted on and coupled to a pipe 19 which extends vertically through the tank 11 and extends downwardly from its bottom wall. The spindle 13 is similarly mounted on and coupled to a pipe 21. The lower ends of the pipes 19 and 21 are located externally of the tank 11 and are connected to the output side of a filter 22, the input side of which is connected to the pump 14 as well as to the compressor 15. The filter 22 is provided with an elongated housing 23, as is best evident in FIG. 2. This housing underlies the tank 11 and, of course, is suitably connected to the pipe 19 and 21. Lying within the housing is a disposable tubular filter element 24 which, as is evident in FIG. 3, is formed of cloth and is corrugated to give extremely large filter area. The filter element is suitably mounted within the housing so that its interior is accessible to one end of the housing which is connected by a pipe 25 to the pump 14. The other end of the housing is provided with a removable cover 26 which gives access to the interior of the housing for replacement of the filter element 24. The housing 23 is aligned in such a way, relative to the other pipes and elements in the apparatus, that the filter element may be withdrawn and replaced without interference.

The filter element is suitably clamped within the housing in such a manner that the ends are sealed, so that the flow of fluid must enter the interior of the filter and flow radially outwardly to gain access to the pipes 19 and 21; no fluid is allowed to bypass around the ends of the filter.

Returning to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the means to heat the air from the compressor 15 is the heat exchanger 16. This heat exchanger has an outer jacket 27 in the form of a metal box adapted to receive steam. A pipe 28 extends from the compressor 15 to the pipe 25 leading to the filter. This pipe passes through the jacket 27 and the portion of the pipe that lies within the jacket is provided with extended-surface elements such as integral vanes 29.

A main steam pipe 31 extends from a steam boiler 32 to the pipe 25 leading to the filter and to the spindle. Branch pipes 33 and 34 extend from longitudinally spaced points in the pipe 31 to opposite sides of the jacket 27 to supply the heat exchanger with steam. The steam pipe 31 also serves to connect the boiler 32 to a perforated pipe 35 which resides in the tank 11, preferably below the surface of the body 18 of dye solution.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the open-topped tank 11 is provided with two parallel, spaced beams 36 and 37 on which are mounted, respectively, perforated platforms 38 and 39. The spindles l2 and 13 extend upwardly through central apertures in the platform 38 and 39 and the platform carries the weight of the body 17 of textile material, as well as carrying perforated tubes or jackets 41 and 42 which surround the textile material, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Each beam is provided w th four upwardly-extending lugs 40 which serve to support the platforms in a slightly raised position above the upper surface of the beams 36 and 37 for drainage purposes.

As has been stated, the jacket 41 is associated with the spindle l2 and its platform 38, while a similar jacket 42 is associated with the spindle 13 and its platform 39. Each jacket surrounds the body of textile material, such as a stack of wool tops, surrounding its spindle. A closure 44 is slidable within the jacket 52 and on the spindle 13 and it rests on top of the body 1.7 of textile material. On top of the closure 44 is placed a weight 45, which has a bore 46 on its underside adapted to receive the upper end of the spindle 13. The weight 45 is shown suspended from a winch 47, while a similar weight 48 is shown in place within the jacket 41. As is evident in FIG. 1, the jackets 41 and 42 are split longitudinally in two and are provided with a hinge on one side and a locking means on the other side. The jacket 41 is shown in closed condition, while jacket 42 is shown in a semi-open position.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the manner in which the dye solution is prepared for introduction into the tank 13. A homogenizing apparatus 49 is located above the tank 11 and includes a mixing tank 51, whose details are shown in FIG. 6. Extending above the mixing tank 51 is a pipe 52, having a valve 53 and leading downward from a preliminary mixing tank 54. The pipe 52 acts to introduce a concentrated dye solution in a vertical stream at one end of the mixing tank 51. At the same end of the tank is located a horizontal pipe 55, having a valve 56 which valve leads through a T-fitting into a transverse horizontal pipe 57 whose ends are closed. This pipe is provided with nozzles or apertures 58 which are directed horizontally toward the mixing tank. Pipe 57 and its associated equipment, therefore, serve to introduce water in a horizontal stream at high velocity across the stream of dye in a direction toward the other end of the mixing tank. At the other end of the mixing tank and spaced slightly from the end wall is reversing baffle 59. This baffle has a semi-circular crosssectional shape with the concave side directed toward the oncoming stream of water and dye to cause a reversal in direction of the stream and to bring about thorough mixing. Located between the baffle 59 and the adjacent end wall of the mixing tank is a vertical pipe 61 leading downwardly into a final mixing tank 62 which has a vertical pipe 63 leading to the main tank 11. The vertical pipe 61 is provided with a branch water pipe 64 having a control valve 65.

Referring again to FIG. 1, there are a number of interconnections between the elements that should be described. A pipe 66 leads from the bottom of the tank 11 through a valve 67 to a sewer line 68. A pipe 68, having a valve 69, leads from the inlet of the pump 14 to the pipe 68 at a portion thereof between the valve 67 and the tank 1 l. The compressor 15 is connected by a pipe 71 having a valve 72 to the pipe 68 adjacent the inlet of the pump 14.

In a similar way, the steam pipe 31 leading from the boiler 32 is connected by a pipe 73 having a valve 74 to the pipe 68 adjacent the inlet to the pump 14. The line 28 is provided with a valve 75, the pipe 3?; is provided with a valve 76, and the pipe 35 is provided with a valve 77. The entire apparatus above the tank may be enclosed with a suitable material, such as cloth, in the form of a tent to retain the heat in the stock.

The operation of the apparatus will now be readily understood in view of the above description. Referring to FIG. 7, a slurry of dye and water is formed in the preliminary mixing tank 54 and is passed downwardly through the pipe 52 under the control of the valve 53 in a vertical stream into the closed mixing tank 51. The dye slurry forms a vertical stream that strikes the horizontal stream of water emitted from the nozzles 58 in the pipe 57, which has been set in motion by opening the valve 56 in the pipe 55. A mixture of dye slurry and water is thrown forwardly across the mixing tank and is reversed by the baffle 59, causing thorough mixing. When suitable mixing in this manner has been accomplished, the tank is drained downwardly through the pipe 61 while, at the same time, receiving a further mixing with water from the pipe 64 by the opening of the valve 65. The final mixture of dye and water arrives at the final mixing tank 62 and flows from there through the pipe 63 into the tank 11.

The body 18 of dye solution accumulates to a suitable amount, is heated by steam from the boiler 32, and the dyeing operation is ready to begin. The body 17 of textile material, such as wool tops, are inserted over the spindles 12 and 13 and their respective jackets 41 and 42 are wrapped around them. Covers 44 are placed over the spindles l2 and 13 and the weights 45 and 48 are moved into place. The pump 14 is energized and begins rotating. When the valve 69 is open, dye solution from the body 18 flows from the tank 11, through the pipe 68, through the pump 14, and into the filter 22. The solution enters the filter through the pipe and flows into the interior of the filter element 24. It then passes outwardly through the filter and into the vertical pipes 19 and 21 and from there to the perforated spindles 12 and 13. The dye solution is under the pressure provided by the pump 14 and it passes radially outwardly through the fibers in the body 17, bleeds outwardly through the apertures in the jackets 41 and 42, and falls downwardly into the tank 11. The passage of the dye outwardly through the body 17 causes every fiber to be contacted with the dye solution. When the dyeing process has been completed, the valve 69 is closed and compressed air is introduced into the system. By opening the valve 75 and operating the compressor l5, compressed air passes through the pipe 28, the pipe 25, and the filter 22 into the system. The air passes in the same way that dye solution had formerly passed through the pipes 19 and 21 and their respective spindles 12 and 13. The air passes outwardly through the body 17 of the textile material and not only forces any remaining dye outwardly and back into the tank 1 l, but also dries the fibers. In order to warm the compressed air, the boiler 32 remains in operation and steam passes downwardly through the pipe 31 and through the heat exchanger 16 by way of the pipe 33, the jacket 27 and the branch pipes 33 and 34. At that time the valve 76 is closed and the valve 77 is open, so that the steam passes into the tank through the perforated pipe 35.

There may betimes when it will be desirable to pass some of the air to the perforated spindles l2 and 13 without it going through the heat exchanger 16. In that some fabrics and dyes it is necessary to subject it to a steam-treatment, possibly to set the dye or to restore a certain amount of moisture lost in drying. For that purpose, the boiler 32 can be operated and the valve 76 in the steam line 31 opened to allow steam to pass into the pipe 25, through the filter 22, and into the spindles l2 and 13. This subjects the body of textile material to a steam-treatment which may be beneficial. The use of compressed air may take place before or after the steam-treatment. After the steam-treatment, for instance, heated compressed air may be used to dry out the body 17. It is also possible to introduce steam into the system by passing it through the pump 14. This is accomplished by opening the valve 74 in the pipe 73 and allowing the steam to pass through the pump into the pipe 25, through the filter 22, and into the spindles. Furthermore, it may be desirable to wash the stock to remove any chemical residue and this can be accomplished by emptying the tank 11, filling it with wash water, and running it through the pump, spindles, and stock.

It can be seen, then, that the present invention provides a number of advantages. First and foremost, is the fact that the dyeing, steaming, and drying operations can take place in the same apparatus without the necessity of handling the fiber. This assures a minimum of handling and a high quality of yarn. A large number of different types of textile materials can be treated in this way; although the above description has concerned itself with wool tops, it is also possible to treat raw stocks, skein yarns, bolts of fabric, and the like with no difficulty. The use of the mixing tank 51 assures a uniformity of color to the stock being dyed and assures a clear and non-congealed flow of liquid to the stock in a production unit. It is possible, of course, to use the compressed air with a little steam mixed in it to add moisture to stock being dyed. The invention will allow the textile industry to same money on fuel, water costs, and labor. Possibly, the cost of fiber dyeing can be cut in half with this equipment. The elimination of the extra handling required by the present conventional drying methods results in a higher quality of fiber which is free of defects. It should be noted that an entire bale of raw stock can be inserted in this system without disturbing or removing its strapping.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising:

a. a main tank for containing a supply of dye solution,

b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank,

c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank, the spindle being supported by and coupled to a vertical pipe extending through the tank and wherein the said vertical pipe is connected to the output side of a filter, the input side of which is connected to the outlet of the pump,

. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, and

e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body, the filter being provided with an elongated tubular housing underlying the main tank and containing an elongated disposable filter element, one end of the housing being connected to the outlet of the pump, and the other end of the housing being provided with a removable cover which gives access to the interior of the housing for replacement of the filter element.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means to heat the air consists of a heat exchanger connected between the compressor and the main tank, and wherein a boiler is connected to the heat exchanger to provide it with steam.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the boiler is also connected to a perforated pipe lying in the main tank for allowing steam to be introduced into the dye solution located there, and wherein the boiler is also connected to the spindle for passing steam through the body of textile material.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tank lies below floor level, the spindle overlies the tank, and the spindle extends above the floor level.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the main tank is open at the top, wherein a pair of spaced parallel beams extend across the main tank, and wherein a perforated platform rests on the beams for supporting the body of textile material.

6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the platform is provided with a central aperture through which the spindle passes, and wherein the beams are provided with lugs to hold the platform above the beams for ease in drainage and cleaning.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein a perforated tubular jacket is provided to surround the body of textile material while resting on the platform, wherein a closure is slidable within the jacket to rest on the upper part of the body, and wherein a weight is provided to rest on the closure.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the jacket is divided longitudinally into two equal parts that are hinged on one side and provided with fasteners on the other side to permit its removal from the body.

9. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising:

a. a main tank for containing a supply of dye solution,

b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank,

0. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye .returns to the tank,

d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body,

e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body, .the means to'heat the air consisting of a heat exchanger connected between the compressor and the main tank, and

f. a boiler connected to the heat exchanger to provide it with steam, the boiler also being connected to a perforated pipe lying in the main tank for allowing steam to be introduced into the dye solution located there and the boiler also being connected to the spindle for passing steam through the body of textile material.

10. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material,

comprising:

a. a main tank which is open at the top for containing a supply of dye solution,

b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank,

0. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank,

d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body,

e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body,

f. a pair of spaced parallel beams extending across the main tank, and

g. a perforated platform resting on the beams for supporting the body of textile material.

11. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material,

comprising:

a. a main tank which is open at the top for containing a supply of dye solution,

b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank, the tank lying below floor level, the spindle overlying the tank, and the spindle extending above the floor level, a pair of spaced parallel beams extending across the main tank and a perforated platform resting on the beams for supporting the textile material, the platform being provided with a central aperture through which the spindle passes and the beams being provided with lugs to hold the platform above the beams for ease in drainage and cleaning,

c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank,

d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, and

e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body.

12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a perforated tubular jacket is provided to surround the body of textile material while resting on the platform, wherein a closure is slidable within the jacket to rest on the upper part of the body, and wherein a weight is provided to rest on the closure.

13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the jacket is divided longitudinally into two equal parts that are hinged on one side and provided with fasteners on the other side to permit its removal from the body. 

1. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising: a. a main tank for containing a supply of dye solution, b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank, c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank, the spindle being supported by and coupled to a vertical pipe extending through the tank and wherein the said vertical pipe is connected to the output side of a filter, the input side of which is connected to the outlet of the pump, d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, and e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body, the filter being provided with an elongated tubular housing underlying the main tank and containing an elongated disposable filter element, one end of the housing being connected to the outlet of the pump, and the other end of the housing being provided with a removable cover which gives access to the interior of the housing for replacement of the filter element.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means to heat the air consists of a heat exchanger connected between the compressor and the main tank, and wherein a boiler is connected to the heat exchanger to provide it with steam.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the boiler is also connected to a perforated pipe lying in the main tank for allowing steam to be introduced into the dye solution located there, and wherein the boiler is also connected to the spindle for passing steam through the body of textile material.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the tank lies below floor level, the spindle overlies the tank, and the spindle extends above the floor level.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the main tank is open at the top, wherein a pair of spaced parallel beams extend across the main tank, and wherein a perforated platform rests on the beams for supporting the body of textile material.
 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the platform is provided with a central aperture through which the spindle passes, and wherein the beams are provided with lugs to hold the platform above the beams for ease in drainage and cleaning.
 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein a perforated tubular jacket is provided to surround the body of textile material while resting on the platform, wherein a closure is slidable within the jacket to rest on the upper part of the body, and wherein a weight is provided to rest on the closure.
 8. Apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the jacket is divided longitudinally into two equal parts that are hinged on one side and provided with fasteners on the other side to permit its removal from the body.
 9. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising: a. a main tank for containing a supply of dye solution, b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank, c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank, d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body, the means to heat the air consisting of a heat exchanger connected between the compressor and the main tank, and f. a boiler connected to the heat exchanger to provide it with steam, the boiler also being connected to a perforated pipe lying in the main tank for allowing steam to be introduced into the dye solution located there and the boiler also being connected to the spindle for passing steam through the body of textile material.
 10. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising: a. a main tank which is open at the top for containing a supply of dye solution, b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank, c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank, d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body, f. a pair of spaced parallel beams extending across the main tank, and g. a perforated platform resting on the beams for supporting the body of textile material.
 11. Apparatus for dyeing a body of textile material, comprising: a. a main tank which is open at the top for containing a supply of dye solution, b. a vertical perforated hollow spindle extending through the body exterior of the tank and extending away from the tank, the tank lying below floor level, the spindle overlying the tank, and the spindle extending above the floor level, a pair of spaced parallel beams extending across the main tank and a perforated platform resting on the beams for supporting the body of textile material, the platform being provided with a central aperture through which the spindle passes and the beams being provided with lugs to hold the platform above the beams for ease in drainage and cleaning, c. a pump connected to the tank and the spindle to circulate the dye solution from the tank to the spindle for passage from the spindle through the body of textile material to be dyed after which the dye returns to the tank, d. a compressor connected to the spindle to cause air to pass through the body, and e. means to heat the air to assist in the drying of the body.
 12. Apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a perforated tubular jacket is provided to surround the body of textile material while resting on the platform, wherein a closure is slidable within the jacket to rest on the upper part of the body, and wherein a weight is provided to rest on the closure.
 13. Apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the jacket is divided longitudinally into two equal parts that are hinged on one side and provided with fasteners on the other side to permit its removal from the body. 